Is the Commute From Idaho Falls to Driggs Worth It? A Teton Valley Day Trip Guide

Watch on YouTube: Is the commute from Idaho Falls to Driggs worth it?

The Short Answer

Yes, it's worth it. And it's a lot easier than most people think. Idaho Falls to Driggs is about 70 to 75 miles, roughly an hour to an hour and a half when the roads are clear. That makes Teton Valley a real Saturday trip, not a big production. You can leave in the morning, hike or ski, and be back home the same night. You don't have to live in Jackson or Driggs and pay those prices to have the Tetons in your weekend rotation.

I'm Jacob Marcovitz, a Realtor with Keller Williams East Idaho, born and raised here in eastern Idaho. In this video I drove over to Teton Valley to show you both routes you can take, plus what the Tetons, hiking and skiing actually look like from the Idaho side.

Who This Is For

A lot of people moving here are coming for the INL, for jobs at the hospitals, or for one of our many other great employers. Maybe you're already living in Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rigby or somewhere else in eastern Idaho. Sooner or later the same question comes up: can I still get to the Tetons without living in Jackson or Driggs?

You can. Driggs and Victor sit on the quieter side of the range, on the Idaho side. You're not committing to Jackson Hole prices just to get to the mountains on the weekend.

One note: this post is about the drive and getting over there. It's not a full buyer's guide to living in Driggs or Victor.

Proof It's a Real Day Trip

To show you how easy this is, I tagged along with my fiancée the morning of the shoot. She's a wedding photographer and had engagement photos scheduled in Teton Valley. She goes over to Jackson all the time too, so she's a great resource for this kind of thing.

Honestly, trips like this make me grateful for where we live. When you live here, you almost start taking it for granted. You're so close that you forget how easy it is to get out there. Between Island Park, Teton Valley, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park, we're a short drive from a lot of beautiful places. So when people come out to look at the area, I always tell them the same thing: make sure it's an area you'd actually like to live in, and also get out and enjoy these places so you understand how close it all is to Idaho Falls.

Two Routes From Idaho Falls to Teton Valley

There are two main ways to get there. Which one you take depends on the weather and whether you want the more scenic drive.

Route A: US-20 and Idaho 33 (the everyday route)

This is the one locals default to. Take US-20 north through Rigby and Rexburg, then Idaho 33 east through Tetonia into Driggs. It's the everyday path, especially in the winter. Once you turn onto Idaho 33 and roll through Tetonia, the valley opens up. That's when it hits you that you're in Teton Valley, and that's Driggs.

Route B: US-26, Swan Valley and Pine Creek Pass (the scenic route)

Route B is the pretty one. Take US-26 out through Swan Valley, then Idaho 31 over Pine Creek Pass, which puts you in Victor first. You get the river and the hills, and it's a completely different feel.

Here's the truth, though. Pine Creek in the winter can get pretty sketchy. If the forecast looks ugly, take Route A. Don't argue with the mountains and the weather.

Before You Leave: Check 511

Whichever way you go, check 511.idaho.gov before you leave. It takes 30 seconds and can save you a bad surprise, especially if there's an accident on the way. US-20 can also get busy in the summer with construction and weekend traffic, so give yourself a little buffer. It's still an easy day trip.

Summer in Teton Valley: Hiking and Grand Targhee

Summer up here is trail season. From Driggs, Ski Hill Road takes you toward Grand Targhee in roughly 25 to 30 minutes. That's your easy base for summer hiking and lift-served mountain time without crossing into Jackson.

My tips for your first visit:

• Look up a hike on AllTrails and pick one solid hike.
• Pack water.
• Start earlier than you think you need to. Don't turn a day trip into a night trip.
• Parking and trailheads get busier on nice weekends, which is another reason leaving Idaho Falls early pays off.

In the last month we did the Delta Lake hike. It's a beautiful hike, and it's easy to get over there and make it a quick day trip. I'm not doing a trail-by-trail breakdown yet. If you'd like one, let me know in the YouTube comments.

Winter: Skiing and Snowboarding

For my skiers and snowboarders: we're talking about some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the country. You've got Grand Targhee on the Idaho side of the range. You can also head to Teton Village and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, just over Teton Pass when the weather cooperates.

The Honest Part

I don't want to oversell Idaho. It's not all sunshine and rainbows, and I've got another video coming on the downsides of living here. Spoiler alert: most of them come down to this: it's cold and it snows. Still, in my opinion the positives outweigh the negatives by a lot.

The Bottom Line

Idaho Falls to Driggs isn't a "someday, when we have three free days" trip. It's a Saturday. You can live in the Idaho Falls area, work here, and still do Teton Valley as a real day trip: hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter.

FAQ

How far is Driggs from Idaho Falls? About 70 to 75 miles, roughly an hour to an hour and a half of driving when the roads are clear.

What's the best route from Idaho Falls to Driggs in winter? Route A: US-20 north through Rigby and Rexburg, then Idaho 33 east through Tetonia into Driggs. It's the everyday route locals use, especially in winter. Pine Creek Pass on Route B can get sketchy in winter weather.

What's the scenic route to Teton Valley? US-26 through Swan Valley, then Idaho 31 over Pine Creek Pass into Victor.

How long does it take to get from Driggs to Grand Targhee? Roughly 25 to 30 minutes via Ski Hill Road.

Do I need to live in Jackson or Driggs to enjoy the Tetons? No. From Idaho Falls, Ammon or Rigby, Teton Valley works as a day trip. Leave in the morning and be home the same night.

Where can I check road conditions before I go? 511.idaho.gov. It takes about 30 seconds.

Keep Exploring Eastern Idaho

• Yellowstone & Grand Teton From Idaho Falls: Drive Times, Entrances & Seasonal Access
• Moving to Idaho Falls? Here's What Summer Really Looks Like (2026 Driving Tour)
• Rigby, Iona, Ucon & Shelley: Which Satellite Town Fits?
• Cost of Living: Idaho Falls vs. Salt Lake City

Thinking About Moving to East Idaho?

If you're thinking about moving to East Idaho, or you're already here and figuring out what daily life actually looks like, that's exactly what I help with. I offer free tours of the area. I can pick you up from your Airbnb, show you homes in your price range, and drive you around so you can see what it's really like to live here. Even if you're just toying with the idea, don't hesitate to text, call or email me.

Jacob Marcovitz | Keller Williams East Idaho
3525 Merlin Dr, Idaho Falls, ID 83404
Call or text: 208-821-6217
Start here: eastidahojacob.com/connect